Comments on: Worship Leaders & Pastors - Should Worship Be Fun?

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:15:16 +0000

This is an interesting topic, and I especially like the distinction between what worship should and could be. I agree with the fact that biblically, worship is both celebratory and also reverent. One more factor to this idea that might be a tangent: Should worship in a teaching aspect, such as youth ministry, be fun or engaging? How about what could be called “evangelistic worship”?

By: Jessa Gray

Jessa Gray — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:16:06 +0000

I think worship should and can be fun. We were created to worship Him, and when you’re doing what you were created to do, that is SO much fun. Sure there are convicting times and times of reverence, awe, and even sadness when worshipping God, but most of the time my heart reflects joy and happiness and FUN whenever I celebrate who Christ is in my life. God knows my heart, and I know He loves it when I bask in His glory while singing abundant praises that glorify His name and what He has done for me. To me, that’s a lot of fun.

By: Allyssa Kaufmann

Allyssa Kaufmann — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:56:38 +0000

When I think of this aspect of fun in worship I think of fun as a byproduct. I think “joy” is a more adequate word to be found in worship. I appreciated how the questions were rephrased. With any given question there are always questions about the specifics of the question. The balance is necessary in most any given part of worship. We must realize that worship will not always be fun and also that fun is not excluded from worship. God will not spite us for finding enjoyment from worship, neither will He if we display sadness and reverence in our worship. Since God is so diverse in His being we may need to worship God in different attitudes to fully worship him.

By: Jordan Roberts

Jordan Roberts — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:58:06 +0000

Bob,
I agree that there is definitely a difference between whether something is fun or whether it should be. But like Brian said in the first post, many times through out the OT (the whole Bible for that matter), God is worshipped not by bowed heads, but by lifted hands and loud voices. Hillsong United is one of my favorite bands because they know when to jump (Salvation is Here) and they know when to think (There Is Nothing Like). The beautiful thing about jumping is that it moves us, musically. I can experience God with one beautiful chord on the guitar…it is music. The beauty about thinking is that it gives us time away from jumping and lets us dwell on the lyrics…thinking.
All in all, I agree with Brian…”So, I would just say, that, not only *can* worship be fun, but the scriptures clearly support the idea that worship *should be* and even *is* fun. We come to God with our whole hearts…”

By: Adam K.

Adam K. — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:00:53 +0000

If fun is the focus then we’re definitely off track. But if by worshiping God (in any way or form)we “have fun” then I say, more power to you.

By: Michael Otto

Michael Otto — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:32:46 +0000

I totally agree with your statements regarding fun towards worship and worship in general. For me I know at least at times I forget that whatever I do, in word and deed is worship. Being on a worship team i’ve kind of trained myself to think that this event and holy time only happens on stage, during a service to a congregation,etc. This shouldn’t be so at all. I don’t think God intended worship to be excluded at all to just the church. If we’re out running, doing work, enjoying ourselves with friends, whatever, it should all be in a worshipful mindset for God. This article has in a way brought me back and let me know that God wants to be a part of EVERYTHING in my life, everything I do from the time I wake until I rest at night should reflect His light. WORSHIP INDEED CAN BE FUN

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:03:47 +0000

I appreciate you discussing this topic. When I read the question, ‘Should worship be fun?’ it got me reeling on my own worship life. I think that being a Christian and experiencing life in the presence of God, presents so many different emotions. Sometimes I’m up and sometimes I’m humbled, and other times I’m face down crying my soul out to Him. So I definitely agree that worship can be fun. Because we as humans experience so many different emotions in our life, and I think it is important to experience different emotions in our walk with Christ.

Also, if the life of a Christian is always the same thing and ho-hum and sort of depressing, what non-Christian will want to come in and experience the same thing we are!

Thank you for the insight and I do like the way you rephrased the question!

By: Amber Ziegler

Amber Ziegler — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:13:58 +0000

Bob,
Ryan puts it very well, you provide a “balanced” perspective, and that is much appreciated! If worship is just a means to a desired end (that end being “fu”), we are in the wrong place. If the Lord fills our hearts with joy as we are praising him, and we have “fun,” that’s all the more reason to praise the Lord! I have listened to one of your sermons, “Healthy Tensions in Corporate Worship,” and I so I appreciate your continued “balanced” perspective. I also appreciate the way people on this blog are so respectful. It’s refreshing!

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:58:07 +0000

I was struck the wrong way when I first began to read the essay, but after more explanation, I too, agree. When I think of fun worship, I think of David but he was still very exalting in the times of “fun” worship. He just truly enjoyed being in the presence of God and he is the first person in the Bible I think of when I think of a worshiping heart.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:48:13 +0000

Very balanced perspective on worship Bob. I enjoy reading this blog and while I understand that it is not the be all and end all of worship education, it is a valued resource. Thanks for staying grounded in scripture!